For the last year and a half, an immense area of the San Gabriel Mountains has been off limits. Now it’s back! Incredible news from the US Forest Service who announced:

Effective May 16, [2011] the Angeles National Forest will reopen about half of the areas that have been closed due to the Station Fire.

Hikers have battled stunning crowds in pockets of the forest that remained open, like Santa Anita Canyon. Now foot traffic can dissipate and spread to the over 100 miles of trail that are back on the table. Switzer Falls, San Gabriel Peak, Mount Waterman, and Cooper Canyon Falls can all be visited again. The open areas are sure to look different, but national forest employees and volunteers have gone to great lengths to jump-start the recovery of the San Gabriel Mountains.

The Forest service released a map depicting the area that is still closed, which includes the trails to Millard Canyon Falls and Trail Canyon Falls. While parts of Angeles National Forest are still off limits, the reopening of so many trails is exciting news for outdoor enthusiasts around Los Angeles.

Update: More areas of the national forest opened in May of 2012, including the trail to Trail Canyon Falls

Colby Canyon Trail to Josephine PeakThis out and back hike ascends an infrequently visited canyon off Angeles Crest Highway up to a saddle below Strawberry Peak and then to a scenic summit in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains with 360-degree over Big Tujunga Canyon and cities to the south.

Strawberry PeakThis out and hike to the highest summit in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains starts out gradual and becomes steep, presenting grand views of surrounding mountains and the cities below.

Strawberry MeadowThis though hike or out and back hike goes around Strawberry Peak to a remote and scenic flat below a massive cliff on the north side of the mountain, offering views of Big Tujunga Canyon and surrounding peaks along the way.

Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon TrailThis trail ascends from the ruins on Echo Mountain to a historic viewpoint that still offers hike-worthy panoramas. See more on a loop back to Echo Mountain that visits Mount Lowe Trail Camp, Cape of Good Hope, and other landmarks on Mount Lowe Railway.

Where will your boot land next?Plot your next adventure with hikespeak.com. Select a region and browse through searchable sortable lists of trails. You will find over 700 hikes to explore, plus information on campgrounds and other outdoor attractions.